Appearance: Poured out of a 22oz. Bomber into a pint glass. Pours out an oily black with a 1 ¼ finger thick dark tan foam head. Head retention was great sticking around for almost 4min(3:53) before finally fading into a thick tan foam coating. Very good lacing.

Flavor/Taste: Flavor is very big on dark fruit and roasted malts on the front end before giving way to chocolate and molasses sweetness. Back end is dominated by deep roasted coffee flavor. Alcohol is evident and can be tasted but not overpowering.

MouthFeel: Full-bodied, thick, and creamy with a medium carbonation.

Drinkability: Very Very Very drinkable. Has a complexity that while well balanced is very intense.

Overall/Comments: One of the most complex beers I have ever had. An excellent brew that takes the taste buds on a ride! 10.5% ABV so be careful! Limited 2012 Release. Initial tasting 4/26/12

Poured into a Stone Imperial Russian Stout tulip glass. Nose of anise and dark chocolate. Roasted malts and coffee are there but on the back burner. Slightly boozey but not very noticeable. Coffee comes across more strongly in the taste. Its dark roasted coffee and chocolate with a vein of anise running throughout. The flavors all blend together towards the end and fade out leaving hints of coffee and black licorice behind.

A - Pours a pitch black color with a ligh brown, rocky head which has a good rentention, leaving a thing layer at the surface which last till the glass is empty. 4.5/5

S - Bold malty character with chocolate, dark fruits and a hint of vanilla. Hop is well present and balances nicely the malt. 4.5/5

T - Strong maltiness upfront with a super smooth feeling. After that comes a fresher flavor from the hop next to some liquorice. The aromatic hop (herbal character) becomes more intense as the beer warms. Just the right amount of alcohol to add some spiciness to it. 5/5

M - Low carbonation which suits the brew perfectly for an extra smooth feeling. Full body with a finish on the sweet side. Moderate bitterness that accentuates as the beer warms. 4.5/5

O - An outstanding Russian Imperial Stout with a typical American influence that some might find too intense but that I enjoyed very much! Excellent drinkability, bold flavors, good complexity... Definitely a World-class beer! 4.5/5

A - Pours a dark brown color with a finger of frothy chocolate colored head. The head fades down at a normal pace leaving behind some lacing.

S - Aroma is a mix of roasted dark chocolate malts and dark fruits with some black licorice, coffee, with a touch of milk chocolate sweetness and a booze.

T - Starts off with a mix of roasted dark chocolate with some plum and other dark fruits and a bit of milk chocolate sweetness. Through the middle, some more dark fruit flavor comes through with some black licorice and coffee. The finish is a mix of roasted milk chocolate and coffee, with some dark fruit, and a bit of booze.

M - Full bodied with moderate carbonation. Feels smooth and a bit thick with a warming and sweet finish.

D - Very drinkable. Nicely balanced Russian Imperial Stout. Good body and smoothness with a great malty base.